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Kauai Areas

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Kauai is a relatively small island with a population of only about 55,000, and each area of the island can be quite different geographically and weather-wise. Allthough the island is small, it can still take well over an hour to drive from one side to the other, and since the west side is impassable, you should try to plan the place you stay around the things you want to do.

Kauai's West Side

Most of the West side is the Na Pali Coast, an impassable mountainous area. There are no roads through here, only hiking trails. On the south side of Na Pali, there are some towns that are still considered to be on the West side. Average weather at the coast in this area is hot and dry: 25 inches average rainfall a year, and average temperature of 75 degrees F.

Everything in this area is pretty far away from everything else, but secluded and sunny .... for those of you who like that sort of thing. This is the home of Waimea Canyon though, so a great place to stay if you are planning a lot of activities there. This also is fairly close to the famous Poipu area, but without the famous Poipu price.

Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range

This is a naval base out in the middle of nowhere on a incredibly long and vacant beach. If you are military or have permissions to stay at military cabins stay here. I spent my honeymoon in one of the military cabins and it was wonderful. We were miles away from any sort of people, and had the entire beach to ourselves. If you aren't military, you still can visit Major's Bay within the Naval Range on days when it is not closed for exercises. Call Visitor Control at 808-335-4221.

Kekaha

A small town with plenty of long beaches nearby, and good deals on vacation rentals. Guide to Kekaha

Waimea

Another small town with plenty of long beaches nearby, and good deals on vacation rentals. Waimea Info

Also on the west side are: Eleele, Hanapepe, Kamakani, Port Allen, Kapaka, and Mana.

Kauai's South Side

The South Side is also hot and dry, with an average rainfall of about 35 inches per year, and an average temperature of 78 degrees F. Though still far from the North Shore, the South side is a middle point for Waimea Canyon and attractions in the Lihue area. The biggest attraction here is the perfect beaches around the Poipu area.

Poipu and Poipu Resort

This area stretching around Makahuena Point is a popular tourist destination, filled with hotels, condos, resorts, and vacation rentals. There are also plenty of shops and places to eat, not to mention the beaches. In general, this is a safe bet for classic Hawaii tourist activities.

Koloa

Koloa is a small town mauka (mountain-side) of Poipu, still very close to the action but a good place to find deals on lodging.

Also on the south shore are: Kalaheo, Lawai, and Omao.

Kauai's East Coast

Also called the Coconut Coast for the coconut trees lined along most of the shoreline, the East Coast is also the leeward side, where the tradewinds cool the days. The average rainfall varies along the coastline, but you can expect to see a little more than the south and west sides - between about 45 and 60 inches a year. Again, the average temperature is in the mid 70's F.

The East Coast has plenty of its own attractions like Wailua Falls and Fern Grotto, and it is a good middle point for those who want to explore both the north and south shores. Good lodging deals can be found in Kapaa and anywhere along this side up towards the mountain a bit.

Lihue

Lihue is where the main airport is and the county seat. You'll find the Kauai museum here, as well as Kalapaki Beach.

Kapaa

Kapaa is a small oceanfront town above Lihue, and getting pretty close to the North Shore. It also is very close to the Wailua River state park, and Lydgate Beach Park.

Also on the east side are: Wailua, Hanamaulu, and Anahola.

Kauai's North Shore

The North Shore has an average temperature in the mid 70's like the rest of the island, but much of it gets a lot more rain - up to 120 inches a year in some places. This makes it green, lush, and very tropical. This is the 'rainforest hawaii' of the movies. The rain shouldn't spoil your vacation, as it does rain more at night ... and if it is raining you can just drive down the coast a bit to where it probably is not raining. North Shore info.